Entry requirements

A Bachelor degree in Information Technology, or in Mathematics from a recognised higher education institution; OR

A Graduate Certificate in Data Science or Graduate Diploma in Data Science or equivalent from a recognised higher education institution.

English language entry requirements

In addition, international students who speak English as a foreign language must have obtained one of the following standards within the last two years prior to admission. Possession of one or more of these qualifications, in addition to the academic entry requirements, does not, in itself, guarantee a place at the University of South Australia. Applications are considered on an individual basis and selection is competitive. Where previous study/work experience was conducted in English, the application must be accompanied by certified documentation from the educational institution/employer certifying that the language of instruction/ employment was English.

Degree overview

Enter the revolutionary area of big data where there is a strong demand for data scientists1.

Benefit from UniSA’s lead role in the $88 million Data to Decisions Cooperative Research Centre.

Learn to analyse and visualise rich data sources, how to spot data trends, and to generate data management strategies.

Complete coursework designed with industry including the Institute of Analytics Professionals of Australia and the leader in business analytics software – SAS.

97 per cent of our assessed research is at or above world class, according to 2015 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).

1McKinsey Global Institute. Big Data: The next frontier for innovation, competition and productivity, May 2011.

Snapshot

Enter the revolutionary area of big data where there is an acute shortage of data scientists. A recent McKinsey Global Institute report projects a 50 per cent gap between projected demand and supply by 20181.

Vast volumes of data are generated every day around the globe. The need to make sense of it has given rise to the revolutionary area of ‘Big Data’, and to a new career of ‘data scientist’. Data scientists find patterns, making meaning and drawing value from the seeming chaos.

Taught by leading researchers you will learn to analyse and visualise rich data sources, how to spot data trends and to generate data management strategies.

This postgraduate degree is offered as part of a suite of three programs (graduate certificate, graduate diploma and master). Each qualification extends to the next, so you can easily transition to a master level qualification.

1McKinsey Global Institute. Big Data: The next frontier for innovation, competition and productivity, May 2011.

What you'll learn

You will start by developing foundation skills in data and statistics such as big data basics, statistical programming for data science, and relational databases and warehouses. You will then go on to study data analytics courses such as:

Predictive Analytics

Unsupervised Methods in Analytics

Research Methods

Data Visualisation

You’ll finish your degree with a professional project where you’ll work in a structured project team, getting practical experience in modern data science techniques and practices.

Study hours

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums. So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.

Assessment

Your studies at UniSA will incorporate both practical, professionally-focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

reports and project documentation

essays and assignments

examinations

group projects and presentations

Global opportunities

Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. Australian and international students may have the option to do an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas. We have links with universities worldwide. You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.

Rules

1. Students entering this program with the Graduate Certificate in Data Science will be given credit for the first semester of the program.

2. Students entering this program with the Graduate Diploma in Data Science will be given credit for the first year of the program.

Notes

1. Students must select two of the four elective courses, in consultation with, and with the approval of, the Program Director.

2. This course is an elective course, and will normally be taken by students who enter the program with an IT background or experience, but not a mathematics background.

3. This course is an elective course, and will normally be taken by students who enter the program with a mathematics background, but not an IT background.

4. Students who have previously and successfully completed INFS 5098 - Data Science Professional Development 1, are eligible to enrol in this course.

Why Master of Data Science

UniSA’s Master of Data Science gives you current knowledge of data science techniques and research. It caters for students with a mathematics or an IT background, with courses tailored for both.

You will learn to analyse and visualise rich data sources, how to spot data trends, and to generate data management strategies. The coursework has been designed with industry including the Institute of Analytics Professionals of Australia and the leader in business analytics software – SAS. Students also benefit from UniSA’s lead role in the $88 million Data to Decisions Cooperative Research Centre.

All have state-of-the-art facilities, with world renowned links and associations that provide a dynamic teaching and research base for our students.

Cooperative Research Centres

We are also proud to support a number of Cooperative Research Centres (CRC) bringing together researchers and research users, with an emphasis on collaboration through utilisation, commercialisation and technology transfer.

UniSA is the national headquarters for an $88 million CRC in big data. The Data to Decisions CRC is set to boost national security. It places UniSA at the forefront of industry and academic research collaboration. The CRC involves researchers in areas of computer science, engineering, business and law from UniSA, the University of Adelaide, University of New South Wales, Deakin University and Carnegie Mellon University, with industry input from IT and systems integration companies, consulting companies and SMEs in collaboration with state and federal national security agencies.

Your career

The field of data science field is evolving at a rapid rate. It will continue to grow as savvy business leaders integrate analytics into every facet of their organisation. Analytics, science, data, and reasoning are becoming embedded into decision-making processes, every day and everywhere in the business world1.

data scientist: understanding interfaces, data migrations, big data and databases; taking the lead in processing raw data and determining the best types of analysis; mining large volumes of data to understand user behaviours and interactions; communicating data findings to IT leadership and business leaders to promote innovation

business data analyst: working with stakeholders, analysts and senior management to understand business strategy and the questions that need to be asked; identifying research needs; designing experiments and making recommendations based on results; driving complex analytics projects to support the business

What others are saying

I had the opportunity to participate in an ICT project in collaboration with an industry client as part of this degree. The final product will assist the client implement a predictive model that should be able to predict, from twitter data, the probability of civil unrest actually occurring at an expected location and date.

Peter Jafako Helebi

Master of Data Science

Peter Jafako Helebi

Master of Data Science

I was working as as an ERP consultant in India and this got me interested in data analytics, so I started studying at UniSA.
UniSA’s programs are designed so they have direct practical applications in the industry. It is ranked well globally and has all the right ingredients to make a good University.

Ankit Sule

Master of Data Science

Ankit Sule

Master of Data Science

play-video

play-video

Hear from Program Director Dr Malgorzata Korolkiewicz about what it is like to study Data Science at the University of South Australia.

I am the Program Director for Master of Data Science and a lecturer in the School of Information Technology and Mathematical Sciences. My research interests and experience include quantitative finance, financial risk management and environmental modelling.

Scholarships

Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarship search page for more.

Vice Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship

Recipients can get a 50% reduction on tuition fees for up to four years of full-time study for selected degrees.

International Merit Scholarship

Your campus

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.

LocationThis degree is delivered at the following campus.

Your study spaces

You will benefit from our culture of innovation and start-ups. We’re helping IT entrepreneurs and innovators turn their ideas into start-up enterprises with a bright future. Through the Innovation and Collaboration Centre (ICC) you will access services and expertise including:

technology (DXC and UniSA IT)

design (matchstudio)

business growth (Centre for Business Growth)

business management

strategy and marketing (UniSA Business School)

commercialisation (UniSA Ventures)

checklist

Credit transfer

You could be eligible for credit for previous studies you have undertaken. Find out online.

Life in Adelaide

Your study experience

As a student at the University of South Australia you will have unique access to work placement opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events, internships, guest speakers and more.

Our campuses are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform. We have health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and great student lounges. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and lots more.

Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, a perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Student services

International Student Services will make your life at university easier. We want you to be successful, and if you need help we will be there to assist.

We also offer study support from our Learning Advisers. You can work with them face-to-face or online. They are here to help you develop academically and professionally during your studies. They also offer help with the English language. When you become a UniSA student you can contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and any other questions you might have.

24/7 digital environment

Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.

How to apply

How to apply for international students will give you helpful information about the application process at the University of South Australia. When you are ready, apply through our International Application System. If you would like to talk to someone near you about studying at the University of South Australia, we have agents all over the world who can assist you. Find an Education Agent in your country.

Deferment

This degree is not available for deferment.

Ask UniSA

There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.

You can access our online International Application System through our How to Apply page. The International Application System is an easy and secure online application and acceptance process. You will have visibility of your application through the secure online portal with the ability to download offer documents, submit your acceptance and make a payment.

If you are completing an Australian year 12 qualification in Australia or overseas, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Australia, you must apply through SATAC http://www.satac.edu.au/.

If you are applying for the UniSA Study Abroad or Study Abroad Plus program, you can submit your application online here.

Postgraduate study by research For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Masters by Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit http://unisa.edu.au/resdegrees.

There is no closing date for submitting your application however the admissions process takes between one and three weeks from the date that we receive your application and all required supporting documentation.

If you are completing an Australian year 12 qualification in Australia or overseas, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Australia, you must apply through SATAC. Key dates for applications can be found here.

You may be eligible to receive credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving credit will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.

The amount of credit you may be eligible to receive is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions team.

The best way to determine your eligibility to receive credit or advanced standing is to apply using our International Application System which can be found on our How to Apply page. You will need to supply detailed syllabus documents with your application.

UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.

Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.

We also have many events throughout the year in Australia and overseas where you can speak with UniSA representatives about your area of interest. View our calendar of events in your home country by selecting the 'International' filter.